Hematological Analyzer Cell Classification via Scattergram Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hematological analyzers are limited in their ability to accurately analyze body fluids other than blood, such as cerebrospinal fluid, abdominal fluid, and thoracic fluid, as they often fail to distinguish between blood cells and other particles, leading to inaccurate results due to the presence of anomalous cells like mesothelial cells and tumor cells.
Innovation Solution
A hematological analyzer capable of analyzing body fluids beyond blood, utilizing a measuring unit with a flow cytometric method for white blood cell detection, RBC/PLT detection, and HGB detection, along with a data processing unit that classifies and counts cells using scattergrams and fluorescent light intensity, allowing for precise identification of blood cells and anomalous particles in body fluids.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a blood cell analyzer is used to measure body fluids other than blood, then the existing analyzer can be utilized for additional applications, but the accuracy of cell counting deteriorates due to the presence of particles other than blood cells
Solution Approach 1:
The scattergram is divided into multiple distinct regions (first region for blood cells, second region for particles other than blood cells, third region for noise). By segmenting the particle distribution space into functionally distinct zones, the analyzer can selectively count only blood cells while excluding interference from other particles, thus resolving the contradiction between versatility and precision.
Solution Approach 2:
A reagent composition containing an aldehyde, surface active agent, and cyclodextrin is introduced as an intermediary substance. This reagent binds to particles other than blood cells, causing them to aggregate or change their scattering properties, thereby moving them into a distinct region of the scattergram that can be easily separated from blood cell signals, improving measurement accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If particles other than blood cells are present in body fluids, then the analyzer must distinguish between different particle types, but this increases the complexity of the analysis system
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes changes in light scattering parameters (forward scatter and side scatter intensities) to differentiate between particle types. By measuring particles at multiple scattering angles and analyzing their position in the scattergram, the system can distinguish blood cells from other particles without requiring complex additional hardware, thus achieving high precision with minimal complexity increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The scattergram-based classification system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it identifies and counts blood cells, excludes other particles, and can potentially classify different types of non-blood particles. This multi-functional approach allows a single system to handle diverse particle types in various body fluids without requiring separate specialized systems for each application.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables accurate analysis of body fluids by distinguishing between blood cells and other particles, improving diagnostic capabilities for conditions like sub-arachnoidal hemorrhage, meningitis, and cancer, with enhanced precision in measuring nucleated cells and tumor cells in fluids.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing a measuring unit with a flow cytometric method for white blood cell detection
Implementation Method 2
RBC/PLT detection
Implementation Method 3
HGB detection
Data Source
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AI summary
A hematological analyzer, comprising a measuring unit comprising a laser source (401) which irradiates laser to cells in body fluid, a first detector (411) which is configured to detect scattered light obtained from the cells, and a second detector (412) which is configured to detect fluorescent light obtained from the cells; and a controller configured to process a measurement result output from the measuring unit; whereby the controller is configured to: classify the cells in body fluid into mononuclear cell, polymorphonuclear cell, and other cells selected from a group consisting of macrophages, mesothelial cells, and tumor cells, based on at least the detected scattered light and the detected fluorescent light.